[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

The goal that was sixteen years in the making; Albion vs Crystal Palace, 21st April 2002

For the first time in nearly three years, Albion welcome a new manager to the Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon, and as always on these occasions, the hope is that we can look forward to better to come. The Newcastle result has to be put behind us, and all of our focus onto what lies ahead.

We are, sadly, in something of a hole. During our current spell in the Premier League, we've never had this few points on the board at this stage of the season. Even Alan Irvine had us on 13 by now, which rose to 17 two matches later. We had the same tally at this time in the season Bryan Robson took us down, and are only one point ahead of where we were in the season we finished bottom under Mowbray. We've been relying on West Ham, Swansea and Crystal Palace to keep us out of the drop zone, and as of this Saturday, that has to stop.

The good news is, of the three clubs who pulled the trigger this autumn, we've probably landed the best boss in Alan Pardew. The bad news is, he's got only three days to get his head round a new team, while Crystal Palace roll into town with an ex-Albion boss settled at the helm, and without an away goal to their name all season.

Hands up those of you who can see exactly what's going to happen here.

In truth, as with the Newcastle game, it's probably going to be an absolute roll-of-the-dice, anything-could-happen game; we can only hope that with a good atmosphere and the fans behind the team and Pardew, we've got enough to make the difference. But this is at the very least a must-not-lose fixture, and we can only hope the players have got it in them, after Tuesday night, to treat it as such.

[WBA-Josh]

We should be looking at this game as winnable and the perfect game to kick off the Pardew Era but a draw with positive signs on the pitch will also be good enough for me.

I'm not expecting a massive improvement in the football style because it will take a few weeks for real noticeable changes but a genuine attempt to win the match from the start will be nice.

Vamos WBA. 

[Beefy 1965]

Waiting to hear the team news if Gibbs is out we're in trouble that means Nyom RB and Brunt LB will probably get torn one by Zaha again, Townsend will run riot, and then we have Benteke,
How have they not scored away from home Yet ?
Needless to say when they hit three or Four Saturday Depression will sink in,
No I'm not a doom merchant but Brighton hadn't scored before they hit three past us earlier.Remember ?
It's just typical Albion you watch ...........

But anyway COYB and good luck Alan

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

How have they not scored away from home Yet ?

I think some of it is just pure Hodgson. Although we were always a great counter-attacking side on the road with him, that was the exception to the norm; at Fulham he just used to park the bus and go for the 0-0. I reckon he's reverted to type.

[aries22]

Great article, Ska’d, one of your very best, and your thoughts reflect what I and so many other Baggies fans must be thinking about the Palace game. Your points stats made sobering reading, and your ‘hands up’ comment was all too reminiscent of too many Albion games this year. It’s remarkable that there are three teams worse than us so far this season, but reliance on that slice of luck cannot be allowed to continue. Top post.
Our current situation really does reveal what a dog’s dinner Tony Pulis has made of Albion since we beat Bournemouth in game number 26 last season.

[Beefy 1965]

FFS !!!!!!!


Matt Wilson‏Verified account
@mattwilson_star
3h3 hours ago
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Gibbs and Phillips are 'struggling a little bit' says Pardew. Both will have fitness tests tomorrow #wba

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Great article, Ska’d, one of your very best, and your thoughts reflect what I and so many other Baggies fans must be thinking about the Palace game. Your points stats made sobering reading, and your ‘hands up’ comment was all too reminiscent of too many Albion games this year. It’s remarkable that there are three teams worse than us so far this season, but reliance on that slice of luck cannot be allowed to continue. Top post.
Our current situation really does reveal what a dog’s dinner Tony Pulis has made of Albion since we beat Bournemouth in game number 26 last season.

Really appreciated. To be honest though, the "hands up" comment wasn't so much about Albion this year as Albion since time immemorial. Semper te fallant, and all that jazz.

We can only hope they'll be turning over a new leaf today, and leaving some 140 years of tradition to one side

[WBA-Josh]

Foster
Nyom - Hegazi - Evans - Gibbs
Livermore - Barry - Field
Robson-Kanu - Rondon - Rodriguez

Subs - Myhill, McAuley, Melbourne, Yacob, Krychowiak, Burke, McLean

I think today is a case of making do with the available resources especially out-wide with Phillips and Chadli injured and Burke lacking fitness.

[Beefy 1965]

Sick note out again !!
No pace at all in this team,

Not Pardew's fault.....
But Zaha, Townsend etc ...,

Dont fancy us at all TBH

[drewks]

I can hear it at 5.00 already:

"Pardew out! We want Hodgson!!"

As you say tho - it's the absentees that are dictating that starting XI , not the coach. At least we're starting with 3 forwards